EAST LANSING – Michigan State graduates donned their caps and gowns on Friday, May 1 for the university’s convocation, a ceremony that kicks off a weekend of commencements.
MSU welcomed graduates, family and friends for the afternoon ceremony, where each “Go green!” was met with a roar of “Go white!”
MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz started by taking the stage, welcoming the students to the annual ceremony, which kicks off graduation weekend but does not include students crossing the stage to receive diplomas.
The students graduating this year ranged in age from 19 to 51, and came to East Lansing from every state in the U.S. and 73 countries.
“Most importantly, all of you have what it takes to call yourselves Spartans for life,” he said, mentioning the different experiences students had prior to their time at MSU, but now sharing an alma mater.
He encouraged the students to advocate for themselves and continue to build community.
“I’m confident that in five, or maybe 25 years down the road, you’ll look back on your college career and realize how much better prepared you became to adapt to the challenges and opportunity ahead,” Guskiewicz said. “You’ll be able to say, ‘I’ve got this.'”
Guskiewicz briefly offered a moment of silence while a photo of the Beaumont Tower lit green was displayed on Breslin Center’s screens, honoring the Spartans who died before graduating, he said.
MSU Provost Laura Lee McIntyre introduced speaker Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and presented her with an honorary degree of doctorate of education.
Whitmer is a two-time MSU graduate, earning both her bachelor’s degree and law degree from the university.
“I am thrilled to be back here at Michigan State. This really is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world, and I am honored to join you for your graduation,” Whitmer said. “Effective today, you all have something in common with me and with a half a million other people around the world. You are Spartans forever, and I am damn proud of you. You should be too.”
Whitmer said she spent her best years at MSU, from drinking Shark Bowls (a Landshark Bar & Grill delicacy) to participating in the finals week midnight scream.
She said when she came to MSU, she had no interest in government or public policy, but an internship at the state capitol opened her eyes.
“I am where I am today because of MSU, and I bet some of you have had similar journeys,” she said. “And even if you didn’t that’s OK. There’s no one right way to spend your time here. But if you showed up, got involved, stayed curious and made friends, you did MSU right.”
Whitmer briefly touched on the Feb. 13, 2023, mass shooting that killed three students. The class of 2026 was the last group of four-year graduates at MSU who were at the university the night of the shooting.
“Your freshman year was changed forever by one of the worst days in Michigan history, when we lost three beautiful young Spartans on this very campus,” she said. “Alexandria (Verner), Arielle (Anderson) and Brian (Fraser). … It’s not fair that they’re not with us anymore. It’s not fair that some of you will still carry scars both seen and unseen from that day. It’s not right your first year at MSU was traumatic. But nothing, and I mean nothing, has inspired me more than the resilience, courage and community that you and your fellow Spartans showed in the days and weeks after that event.”
She said she only ever wanted to be a Spartan, only applying to the green-and-white university as a student (though her mom sent in an application to Western Michigan University, too).
“This is my last year as governor, that’s why I wanted to be here with all of you for my final college commencement,” he said. “This is where it all started for me and part of me will always be here.”
After Whitmer spoke, Board of Trustees Chair Brianna Scott made short remarks before Provost Laura Lee McIntyre introduced the university leaders on stage, which was followed by remarks from students, including Ennalyse Fretz and ASMSU President Kathryn Harding.
As the ceremony ended, students stood and swayed to the university’s alma mater “MSU Shadows” which was followed by “Victory for MSU.”
Contact Karly Graham at kgraham@lsj.com. Follow her on X at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Whitmer honors MSU shooting victims as she lauds Spartan graduates
Reporting by Karly Graham, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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